Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) In a series of decisions aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure, rural water supply, technological innovation, and digital connectivity, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday approved several key policies and projects.

In a major boost to medical diagnostics in Central India, the Cabinet has approved the setting up of the Nagpur High-Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (NHECP).

Spearheaded by the Medical Education and Drugs Department, this ambitious project will be the only one of its kind in the region. The advanced cyclotron facility will significantly enhance precision in medical treatments by providing cutting-edge diagnostic capabilities for a wide range of complex diseases and ailments. The project is expected to offer immense relief to economically weaker sections and needy citizens who previously had to travel to distant metros for high-end medical imaging and diagnostic scans.

Looking to position Maharashtra as a premier tech and manufacturing hub, the Cabinet has cleared the Maharashtra Unmanned Systems Policy 2026. Managed by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, the policy lays down a comprehensive framework to incentivize the manufacturing of unmanned vehicles across aerial, maritime, and terrestrial domains.

The policy will actively promote Research and Development (R&D), manufacturing, and skill development training for drones and automated systems for agriculture and specialised robots designed for hazardous, high-risk, and challenging industrial environments.

To tackle seasonal water scarcity and establish a permanent solution for rural regions, the cabinet cleared the Maharashtra Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026. Under the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, this policy focuses on the sustainable development of rural water supply systems by integrating various existing water schemes. The long-term blueprint aims to ensure the systematic planning, execution, and supply of clean, disinfected, and high-quality drinking water to every rural household across Maharashtra.

Further, the cabinet has approved a revised implementation methodology for the nationwide Bharat Net Program in Maharashtra. To ensure seamless execution, the state will set up a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under “Mahanet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL)”. This entity will oversee the rapid deployment of high-speed digital infrastructure and broadband connectivity across rural and remote parts of the state.

The cabinet also approved an ordinance amending the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Act, 1977. The modifications are designed to bring the state’s legal framework into alignment with the provisions of the federal Viksit Bharat – G Ramji (VBG Ramji) Act, 2025. This legal synchronisation ensures the effective, streamlined implementation of the VBG Ramji welfare scheme across Maharashtra’s rural employment landscape.

In a relief for elected representatives in local self-government bodies, the Cabinet has granted a six-month final extension for submitting mandatory Caste Validity Certificates. The Urban Development Department received the green light to introduce necessary legislative amendments to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, the Maharashtra Municipalities Act, and the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats, and Industrial Townships Act to legally validate this extension window.

–IANS

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